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Exercise is Medicine Week 2015 kicks off Oct. 12

The 2015 Exercise is Medicine (EiM) Week, hosted by the Department of Kinesiology and Kinesiology Club, will begin on Oct. 12. EiM on campus is an initiative of the American College of Sports Medicine that calls on universities and colleges to promote the health benefits of physical activity and exercise on their campuses.
Image: Penn State

Exercise is Medicine Week 2015 kicks off Oct. 12

Marjorie S. Miller

October 06, 2015

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Department of Kinesiology and Kinesiology Club are gearing up for their 4th annual Exercise is Medicine (EiM) week, which will kick off Oct. 12.

EiM on campus is an initiative of the American College of Sports Medicine that calls on universities and colleges to promote the health benefits of physical activity and exercise on their campuses. The first campus-wide EiM event at Penn State's University Park campus was held in November 2012.

EiM week events include outdoor exercise stations at high visibility sites, exercise competitions, prize drawings, fitness testing, a “skip the elevator-take the stairs” signage campaign, and an educational booth at the HUB-Robeson Center.

“We have a couple of things that are new,” said Melissa Bopp, associate professor of kinesiology. “We have a greater social media presence this year.” (On Facebook: www.Facebook.com/PSUEiM, and on Twitter: @psueim.)

“A new addition for the year will be a Freshman Fitness Day on Oct. 14,” Bopp said.

Freshman Fitness Day will include demonstrations and activities, with the goal of attracting freshmen to physical activity resources on campus.

“As always we hope to have great participation from students and hopefully more interaction with faculty and staff,” Bopp said.

Lori A. Gravish Hurtack, instructor of kinesiology and internship coordinator for the department, said it is very rewarding to have Nan Crouter, Raymond E. and Erin Stuart Schultz Dean of the College of Health and Human Development, provide her support to this initiative.

“A few years back we established a kick-off event for the week to include an annual Dean's Walk which has shown tremendous growth since its inception,” said Gravish Hurtack. “Dean Crouter, along with College of Health and Human Development department heads, Penn State Provost Nick Jones, faculty, staff and students enjoy a collaborative event in the promotion and compliance to exercise. There have been times where our University president has joined us as well in the event.”

This year's Dean's Walk will take place Oct. 12 starting outside the Biobehavioral Health Building, the side closest to the HUB-Robeson Center.

“We are gaining the support of some Penn State varsity coaches who will be joining us at the walk and this could be the start of University-wide involvement,” Gravish Hurtack said.

Robert Ricketts, Kinesiology Club advisor and senior lecturer of kinesiology, said EiM is vital as one looks at the value of exercise over the life span.

“Although the title 'Exercise is Medicine' is promoted by the American College of Sport Medicine, I like to think of exercise as a 'vaccine' to ensure lifelong good health,” he said.

Exercise is Medicine Week schedule:

Oct. 9: The Kinesiology Club will give out pedometers during the Homecoming parade.

Oct. 12: Dean’s Walk begins at 9 a.m. outside the Biobehavioral Health Building. There will be an exercise station at Willard Building.

Oct. 13: Exercise station at Palmer Museum of Art

Oct. 14: Freshman Fitness Day at East Halls

Oct. 15: Exercise station at Life Sciences Building

Oct. 18: The Kinesiology Club will host a 5K, beginning at 10 a.m. at Osmond Building on Pollock Road. Pre-registration is $15. Race-day registration is $20.